Statement by the Secretary General dr. Mantas Adomėnas ahead of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists 

As we observe the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, media workers continue to operate in an increasingly hostile environment. In many places of the world, independent investigative journalism, which is vital for protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, has become a life-threatening occupation. For their role in disseminating news to the public, journalists face threats, intimidation, harassment, unjust detention, or even pay the ultimate price becoming victims of murder.

The existing threats to press freedom are exacerbated by the abuse of digital technologies by malign state and non-state actors aiming to discredit journalists, undermine democratic principles, and target democratic governments. In today’s digitalized world, disinformation has become a very powerful tool to threaten the free media and interfere in democratic governance.

The Community of Democracies remains committed to defending press freedom and freedom of opinion and expression as core values of a healthy democratic fabric, as well as key principles enshrined in its founding document, the Warsaw Declaration. As stated in the Warsaw Declaration, adopted by 106 countries, “the right of the press to collect and disseminate information, news and opinions should only be subject to restrictions necessary in a democratic society and prescribed by law”. Any attempts to censor the press violate countries’ obligations to uphold these values. When media freedom is compromised, democracy is compromised.

As the Community of Democracies Secretary General, I call on democratic leaders to reiterate their commitment to protect media freedom and freedom of opinion and of expression and to mobilize political will to tackle impunity for crimes against journalists by adhering to rigorous standards of legal protection for journalists and by bringing perpetrators of crimes against journalists to justice.